The New England Patriots became the fourth team to clinch a division title, the Cleveland Browns kept the Baltimore Ravens alive and the San Francisco 49ers moved closer toward a No. 1 seed. Plenty is left to be settled before the NFL’s playoff schedule is set. Twelve of the 14 playoff berths have been secured, and four teams are battling for the final two spots. Both No. 1 seeds are up for grabs and there could be two winner-take-all games in Week 18. Chicago Bears run out of magic late — but can still clinch the No. 2 seed: Brad Biggs’ 10 thoughts on Week 17 The Patriots (13-3) routed the New York Jets 42-10 on Sunday and later clinched the AFC East title when the Buffalo Bills lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 13-12. The Patriots completed a worst-to-first turnaround under first-year coach Mike Vrabel. The NFC North champion Chicago Bears also went worst to first this season. Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers missed an opportunity to lock up the AFC North, losing 13-6 in Cleveland. Now the division championship comes down to the final game when the Ravens (8-8) visit the Steelers (9-7) on Sunday night. The winner advances; the loser is eliminated. That’s likely the scenario when the Carolina Panthers (8-8) visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) on Saturday. If the Atlanta Falcons lose or tie against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night, the Panthers-Bucs matchup would be winner-take-all in the NFC South. If the Falcons (6-9) win their final two games, the Panthers are in the playoffs regardless of what happens against the Bucs because they hold the three-team tiebreaker. The 49ers’ 42-38 victory over the Bears sets up a showdown against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday night for the NFC West title and the No. 1 seed. The Broncos (13-3), Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4), Houston Texans (11-5), Los Angeles Chargers (11-5) and Bills (11-5) have secured playoff spots in the AFC. The Seahawks (13-3), Bears (11-5), Philadelphia Eagles (11-5), 49ers (12-4), Rams (11-4) and Green Bay Packers (9-6-1) are heading to the NFC playoffs. Here’s the updated playoff picture: AFC East The Patriots won their first division title since Tom Brady led the franchise to 11 straight from 2009-19. They would secure the AFC’s No. 1 seed with a win over the Miami Dolphins and a loss or tie by the Broncos against the Chargers, or a tie against the Dolphins and a loss by the Broncos. The Bills’ run of five consecutive division crowns ended, and they will be the No. 5, 6 or 7 seed. AFC North The Steelers beat the Ravens 27-22 on Dec. 7 in Baltimore. They have to beat them again or tie them Sunday night without wide receiver DK Metcalf and probably without star edge rusher T.J. Watt. Derrick Henry and backup quarterback Tyler Huntley led the Ravens to a win Saturday night in Green Bay that kept them in the race and made the Steelers’ loss to the Browns matter. Lamar Jackson’s status is unknown for the do-or-die game because of a back injury. AFC South The Jaguars win the division with a win or tie against the Tennessee Titans or a loss coupled with the Texans losing or tying against the Indianapolis Colts. The Texans would win the division with a victory over the Colts and a loss by the Jaguars. AFC West The Broncos have won the division, ending the Kansas City Chiefs’ nine-year run. Denver can secure the AFC’s No. 1 seed with a win against the Chargers or a loss by the Patriots to the Dolphins. The Chargers will be the No. 5, 6 or 7 seed. NFC East The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles became the first team to win this division in consecutive seasons in two decades. They’ll be the NFC’s No. 2 or 3 seed. NFC North The Bears clinched their first division championship since 2018. They will be the No. 2 or 3 seed. The Packers are locked into the No. 7 seed. NFC South The Panthers beat the Buccaneers 23-20 at home last week. They missed a chance to clinch the division by losing 27-20 to the Seahawks on Sunday. The Bucs’ 20-17 loss to the Dolphins means they need the Falcons to lose to the Rams or New Orleans Saints in order to have a shot at winning their fifth straight division crown. The Falcons are eliminated but would give the Panthers a tiebreaker edge if the three teams finish 8-9. The Bucs hold a two-team tiebreaker advantage over the Panthers. NFC West The Seahawks secure the division title and the No. 1 seed with a win or tie against the 49ers. The 49ers beat the Seahawks 17-13 in Week 1. If they beat them again, they would earn a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The 49ers could become the third team to play a Super Bowl in their home stadium. The Rams will be the No. 5 or 6 seed. ...read more read less